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Buzz Feed
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
32 Products So Good That They're Basically Overachievers
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray to lock in your makeup so you have no need to fear that your carefully crafted look will fade after a few hours spent on the dance floor. This setting spray will ensure your makeup stays perfect throughout the all-nighter you end up pulling. The Pink Stuff you'll want to keep on hand when those kiddos start scribbling all over your walls right before guests are due to arrive for a dinner party. Don't put your all into scrubbing those doors — all you need to do is coat this stuff on any stains and simply wipe it away. This works on just about everything — bathtubs, faucets, stovetops, tennis shoes, walls covered in crayon. Everything. A weekly, bleach-free shower spray so you can continue your Love Is Blind marathon without the need to set a timer and go back to man's worst enemy: scrubbing. Just spray it, literally forget about it, and rinse it the next day — no manual labor required. An under-cabinet lid opener that will ease everyday cooking by simply popping the lid off of any hard-to-open bottle. No Hulk-level strength needed with this tool gracing your kitchen. Elizavecca's CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein treatment for anyone who wants a frizz-free, silky look without paying exorbitant salon prices. Just apply it to wet hair, leave it on for five minutes before washing it out, and say goodbye to the damaged look your hair has been sporting after years of abuse at the hands of bleach and flat irons. Reusable microfiber pads specifically designed to fit your Swiffer Sweeper, for those who aspire to have floors clean enough that you can basically eat off them. These pads are way better than disposable ones; plus, at the end of a cleaning sesh, you can just throw them in the wash (instead of the trash). Essence's Lash Princess mascara for those of you who would love a way to get the falsies look for under $5! This mascara is incredibly affordable, incredibly volumizing, and lasts the entire day — at least according to the 250,000+ 5-star ratings. Plus, reviewers even rave about how it's better than more expensive name brands! Megababe's Thigh Rescue with natural ingredients like aloe, pomegranate, and grapeseed oil to protect your skin from the horrors of chafing (shudder). A set of resistance bands so you can continue your workout without those bands rolling or snapping down in the middle of your routine. A pack of Munchkin snack catchers perfect for the lil' kiddos in your life who keep spillin' those Goldfish all over your car floor. You can turn these upside down and shake as hard as you want (as shown below), and not one wayward little fishy will end up on the floor. A shampoo scalp massager that will feel like your scalp is getting a massage from the confines of your shower. This lil' tool will help remove pesky dandruff, stimulate your scalp, and even promote hair growth. A teeth-whitening pen to brighten each and every tooth so that your smile is as ✨shiny✨ as can be. This pen brings instant results without the need to deal with the expensive, traditional strips that may leave your teeth feeling sensitive and your wallet feeling sad. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner that'll bubble up to help remove and prevent smelly buildup. Just drop the whole packet in and let the suds wash away the odor that's been building up in your kitchen for weeks. Bio-Oil with moisturizing oils and vitamins — such as vitamin E, chamomile, and lavender — to help fade those scars and stretch marks that have taken residence upon your skin. A clear toy blocker for those parents who find themselves stretching their arm as far as possible under the furniture several times a day. It comes in two heights, can be cut to fit in the space exactly, and the tape can be removed and washed, so there's no harm to your floor. Perfection! A Thaw Claw because you keep forgetting to take out the meat you've been meaning to prep for dinner, and defrosting in the microwave just doesn't taste the same. Just suction this into the sink, fill the sink with water, and then put the food under the claw. Voila! A flip top to ensure you squeeze out every last drop from those stubborn soap bottles. A K-beauty snail mucin essence that'll help hydrate, rejuvenate, and repair your skin. It doesn't matter what kind of skin you have — dry, oily, or, if you're like me, a lil' bit of both depending on the weather — this potion-in-a-bottle is designed to work for everyone as it helps soothe damaged skin. It's gentle, it's effective, and it can make your skin look and feel absolutely radiant. A set of magnetic locks to baby-proof your home without making it impossible for the adults in the home to open those drawers (seriously, how do those baby-proofing locks even work?). These hidden locks are actually installed using tape (to not damage the wood) and make it so your little one can't open the drawer or cabinet. A "flossing toothbrush" designed with "floss" bristles to reach between your teeth to banish those lil bits of food stuck in your grin. Chip Skylark himself will burst into song as the sight of your smile, 🎶 my shiny teeth and me 🎶 ! A lip-plumping gloss set that'll puff up your pout and give you some seriously luscious lips. These babies use vitamin E and collagen to add some extra fullness to your lips while also moisturizing them so they are smooth and supple. Angelina Jolie, who? A Kochblume spill stopper so you can walk away from the boiling pot without fear that it'll overboil and spill out everywhere. A bottle of Folex Instant Carpet Stain Remover to lift and wipe away that grape juice that your little one spilled right before the guests were due to arrive. Other carpet cleaners simply cannot compare. Wireless Bluetooth earbuds perfect for those boring Zoom calls when you wanna spend the meeting whippin' something up in the kitchen instead of tethered to your computer by unnecessary cords. Plus, they come with a handy travel/charging case, AND they connect to your devices in just one easy step. Keurig cleaning cups, because the last thing you want ruining your morning pick-me-up is leftover grime and residue that have been slowly collecting within your machine over the last year. Just plop a pod in, start a cycle, and prepare to be amazed (and severely disgusted) by the sheer amount of brownish water that'll trickle out of your machine. A knife for the PB&J lovers who wanna make sure they scrape up the peanut butter from the very bottom of the jar. No need to settle for the oil that separates and hovers at the very top of the jar, this'll mix up your butter perfectly. A bottle of SolarOil to keep your nails looking moisturized with consistent use. Just apply it like a clear coat of polish to help your nails get all the cuticle-softening, nail-strengthening nourishment they've been craving. A Take-n-Slide medication tracker because you never ever EVER want to miss a day of your medication, and let's be honest, there are way too many things on your mind distracting you from remembering whether or not you've taken your daily dose. A pack of Mighty Patch pimple spot treatment to clean out any pore-clogging gunk that's festering right under the surface of your skin. Just pop one of these over a whitehead and let it sit for a few hours to absorb all the yuckiness stuck in your pores. A pet hair remover that can save your furniture from the unspeakable amount of shedding your furry bestie leaves behind in their wake. All you have to do is empty the roller when it's full, and it's good to go — no wasteful sticky sheets required! Because seriously, which one of your friends wants to sit on fur-infested seats? A detangling leave-in conditioner made from keratin, olive oil, and jojoba oil to soften and hydrate your little one's curls! Just spray it on damp or dry hair, and watch as these locks morph into soft, bouncy, and defined curls! A mold and mildew remover because the last thing you want to do on your day off is sprain a wrist trying to scrub out the pinkish mold from that long-neglected bathroom tile. Just spray, wait 15 seconds, and watch the mold disappear. Lazy cleaners everywhere rejoice!
CNN
29-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
How to make spring cleaning more comfortable, according to experts
Spring cleaning your home can be an incredibly rewarding experience — if your cleaning tools help ward off aches and pains. While it's normal for the rigors of scrubbing, mopping and otherwise restoring your home to a spring-like state to feel challenging, it shouldn't hurt. 'The body in general tends to function best in terms of energy efficiency and injury prevention when our joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles are placed in positions that do not deviate into extremes of bending, straightening and twisting,' said Julie Landis, a physical therapist and certified professional ergonomist. Though it can be tempting to outsource your spring cleaning to the pros or skip it altogether, Landis explains keeping up with daily chores like spring cleaning 'limits our exposure to the ergonomic risk factors' that can put us at risk of injury and diminish overall quality of life. 'Anything that helps you reach better, grip better, distribute or minimize force are going to help,' she said. No matter your age or mobility level, investing in the right spring cleaning products makes the chore far more comfortable. To find out what cleaning products can help alleviate pain while cleaning, we tapped experts on their favorite picks below. Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Dry + Wet Floor Mopping and Sweeping Kit Landis is a fan of this user-friendly floor mopping and sweeping kit for the way it 'minimizes reach, supports reduced forces and supports reduced awkward postures' thanks to its extendable and comfortable handles, grips that contour comfortably around the hand and heads that rotate for easy access. It doesn't require a dustpan or a bucket, further reducing your need to bend down below the knees, which she cites as an 'awkward position' that can act as a major source of stress. Buysenton Microfiber Duster for High Ceilings 'As mobility changes, bending down or reaching high places can become harder,' said Kathy Cohoon, cleaning expert and director of operations at Two Maids. 'Long-handled dusters and extendable microfiber mops allow you to clean baseboards, ceiling fans, shelves and other hard-to-reach areas without straining your back or shoulders. These tools reduce the need for excessive bending and reaching, making cleaning safer and more manageable.' This option features a telescopic extension pole of up to 100 inches, making it easier than ever to keep dust bunnies and cobwebs off your ceilings and remote spaces. Plus, its long reach omits the need to stand on a ladder or chair, which can further put you at risk of falls. Trazon Scrub Brush Set, 3-Pack Scrubbing the likes of grout and tile can place undue stress on the wrist and hand due to the repetitive side-to-side motion required of the wrist, according to Landis. 'Cleaning supplies and tools that contour and fit the hand comfortably and contour to the item being cleaned will also help reduce the forces associated with cleaning,' said Landis. To reduce strains, she recommends this three-piece set featuring brushes of varying angles with nonslip handles to help you comfortably target every nook and cranny of your home. Zayad Reacher Grabber Tool 'If bending over or stretching to reach items is uncomfortable, a grabber tool is a simple but very effective solution,' said Cohoon. 'This tool allows you to pick up lightweight objects and retrieve items from high shelves without needing to stretch or climb, making them a safer alternative for a more senior audience.' Mobility assistance aside, this grabber tool acts as a buffer between your hands and any unsanitary objects you're looking to discard while you prep your home for spring. Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum 'Cleaning tools that are lightweight and small enough to easily push and pull and maneuver under furniture are also very helpful in minimizing force requirements,' said Landis. Her go-to pick for achieving sparkling clean floors, pain-free? The Dyson V8 Absolute, which should check off all your boxes in a cordless vacuum: It has powerful suction, a 40-minute run time and a built-in HEPA filtration system — all in a lightweight and cord-free 6-pound device. Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier Hack your way to a cleaner home and happier lungs with this air purifier designed to capture airborne irritants in rooms of up to 1,500 square feet. 'Additional tools can be incorporated into your spring cleaning] that reduce the amount of time needed for dusting, which have the added and primary benefit of improving the quality of the air we breathe,' said Landis. 'Using a purifier like the Clorox Air will remove circulating allergens found in dust and will purify the air circulating in the house.' Oxo Good Grips Extendable Shower, Tub and Tile Scrubber Cleaning your tub can place undue stress on the joints for numerous reasons, like the awkward barrier the bath wall creates against your hips and torso to the several vertical feet of tile coated in soap scum far out of reach. Make the task infinitely more efficient and productive with this extendable scrubber Landis recommends. It features an abrasive antimicrobial scrub brush that does the literal dirty work for you, along with a replaceable head shaped to tackle the most confined areas of your bathroom. Berkland Extra Long Bed Sheet Tucker Tool Whether you're on the shorter side or struggle with mobility, the effort required to make your bed is enough to send anyone into a nap. Landis recommends this sheet tucker to facilitate the task, as its long ergonomic handle acts as a lever to lift the mattress. Tantea Mattress Lifter Wedge Speaking of making your bed with ease, Landis recommends this mattress lifter to help you effortlessly apply the fitted sheet over your mattress deep enough so it doesn't slide off mid-slumber. It's durable enough to lift mattresses up to 1,000 pounds and its comfortable curved grip is also a dream to use on achy hands. Bissell Steam Shot OmniReach Handheld Steam Cleaner 'If strong cleaning products irritate you, consider using a steam cleaner,' said Cohoon. 'These cleaners use hot steam to sanitize surfaces, so they eliminate germs and grime without harsh chemicals. They're perfect for deep-cleaning floors, countertops and even upholstery while also being gentle on your lungs since they don't use harsh chemicals like other cleaning products.' The Steam Shot OmniReach from viral brand Bissell got the stamp of approval from cleaning expert Jolie Kerr in testing. It excels in cleaning everything from grout to faucets and caked-on food to countertops, making it a versatile investment no matter your spring cleaning needs. Timoxi Wearable Cleaning Caddy Bag 'We're all familiar with the best practice of bending at the knees and not at the hips and to not twist the spine when lifting,' Landis said. But when swiftly switching from one cleaning supply to the other or reaching for an item in a high-up cupboard, we often take shortcuts that can put our bodies at risk for injury. Skip risky movement patterns altogether by keeping all your cleaning supplies within arm's reach. This wearable cleaning caddy bag perfectly organizes your essentials, and its cross-body strap helps evenly distribute weight across your back. Highyes Electric Spin Scrubber 'Scrubbing grout, bathtubs and tile floors can be pretty demanding on the body. That's where electric scrubbers and drill brush attachments can come in and do the hard work for you,' Cohoon said. 'They use rotating bristles to lift dirt and grime with minimal effort, which means you can keep your bathroom and kitchen sparkling without putting stress on your joints.' A version of the TikTok-famous electric scrubber we appreciated in testing is also available under a different brand with numerous attachments and a motorized rotating brush for a precise and deep clean. Its cordless and portable design makes it particularly suitable for cleaning all areas of your home, from the bathroom to the kitchen and everything in between. Gorilla Grip Extra Thick Kneeling Pad 'Housemaid's knee is a term that originally referred to scrub maids who developed the injury from spending a lot of time on their knees cleaning floors,' said Landis. If you'll be stationed in a kneeling position for an extended period, consider this thick cushioned kneeling pad designed to protect your knees from hard unforgiving surfaces like tile, cement and hardwood. Its water- and slip-resistant construction allows you to clean safely in moist or damp environments and it's thick enough to shield your knees from rocks and rubble should you be taking your spring cleaning to the great outdoors. Troozy Folding Hand Truck Spring cleaning is about so much more than disinfecting your space, but of giving a new life to items collecting dust in your home. Instead of struggling with boxes of clothes and household items destined for the donation bin, move them effortlessly out of your home with this folding utility cart. It's designed to hold up to 500 pounds, it features an extendable base plate to stabilize wider items and it comes with a flexible rope to prevent heavy items from tipping over. RollaReleasa Pikk-it Tool For Vacuum, 2-Pack 'Repeating the same task over and over can add to injury potential,' said Landis. Instead of painstakingly removing each strand of hair and each particle of dust from your vacuum cleaner, leading to potential hand, finger or wrist overuse injuries, tend to the task effortlessly. This unique gadget features zinc alloy teeth to rake right through hair so your vacuum can function to its full potential. Simple Houseware Heavy Duty 3-Tier Utility Rolling Cart This rolling cart not only allows you to organize your supplies into categories, but it makes transporting them from room to room a breeze. Its side hooks also give you quick access to smaller cleaning essentials from scissors to sponges and cloths. Eko Mirage-T Touchless Motion Sensor Trash Can A touchless trash can is the solution to safely discarding items with full hands or an aching back. It features a sleek smudge-proof design that'll fit neatly into compact spaces and a generous 50-liter capacity to maximize storage. Apple Watch Series 10 If you think of spring cleaning as your low-impact cardio for the day, it helps to have the latest edition of our favorite smartwatch on hand. Use the timer function to organize your cleaning session into manageable time blocks and even check out your steps at the end of your session to help you feel accomplished after all that movement. Because spring cleaning can indeed feel physically rigorous, take advantage of its advanced health features to get alerts when your heart or respiratory rate becomes irregular. Conair Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover Pilling isn't only unsightly, but it can leave your favorite upholstery susceptible to further unraveling. This Underscored-approved fabric shaver and lint remover breathes new life into household and sartorial fabrics while limiting additional force or effort from your wrists. Its ergonomic grip makes it comfortable to handle, its cordless, battery-powered operation offers practicality and it features three controls to customize your shave level, whether you're restoring your favorite reading chair or saving your couch from the wrath of your cat's paws. The following FAQs were answered by Julie Landis, physical therapist and certified professional ergonomist. How can you make spring cleaning more manageable? How can you make spring cleaning more manageable? Don't do it all in one swoop. According to Landis, 'Breaking work into smaller units keeps the cleaning and clutter under control, more manageable and less stressful both physically and mentally,' said Landis. 'When work is done little by little, the body has time to recover and reenergize. Think of cleaning as mini workouts and the same principles of restoration between bouts of exercise apply.' Landis also recommends enlisting cleaning tools that minimize reach (like a grabber tool) and awkward postures and support your joints (such as a knee pad). For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights on how to make cleaning easier and the cleaning products they love. Kathy Cohoon, cleaning expert and director of operations at Two Maids Julie Landis, physical therapist and certified professional ergonomist CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, contributing editor Marissa Miller tapped a cleaning expert and physical therapist on how to make cleaning easier, along with the cleaning products they love.
New York Times
21-02-2025
- General
- New York Times
The Swiffer WetJet Is a Decent Mop, Actually. Here's How to Make It Less Wasteful.
Spray mops, like the ubiquitous Swiffer WetJet, aren't the best tools for soaking up spills or cleaning grout. But they are incredibly convenient, since the handle, pad, and cleaning solution are all stored together, premixed, and ready to go. It's a combination that's made them wildly popular. For most minor messes on most kinds of flooring, spray mops work well enough. The WetJet is my go-to mop at home, and a number of my Wirecutter colleagues also rely entirely on a spray mop of some sort. I'd even argue that the gatekeepers of deep-cleaning wisdom don't give the genre enough respect. Studies have actually found that the flat cleaning pads often used in spray mops can clean even better than traditional mops in some important ways. Part of the problem, I think, is that a 'spray mop' is almost synonymous with 'Swiffer WetJet,' and for some, 'Swiffer' is another way to say 'expensive garbage generator.' Swiffer's single-use pads and detergent bottles do create a prodigious pile of trash over time. If the landfill contributions don't bother you, the recurring costs might. Spray mops don't have to be expensive and wasteful, though, not even a Swiffer. I've spent almost nothing on fresh supplies for my WetJet in nearly five years, and I can count on one hand the number of disposable pads I've thrown away in that time. Let's be clear: A Swiffer is meant to be used with disposable refills. The Swiffer website features precisely zero pads or bottles designed for reuse. (The company does have a reclamation program, if you'd like to jump through a few extra hoops to participate.) I'm not here to defend the Swiffer or its business model, and I have no opinion about how it stacks up to spray mops sold by Bona, O-Cedar, Rubbermaid, or any other brand—essentially they all ship with reusable pads and refillable fluid reservoirs. Wirecutter has never done comparative testing on spray mops, and we haven't recommended any in our larger wet mop guide. (And I'm not talking about the Swiffer Sweeper, which is not a spray mop and is not a product we recommend at Wirecutter.) The Swiffer WetJet spray mop (left) has been around for decades. The Swiffer PowerMop launched more recently, but it doesn't offer many changes to the classic formula—and there's still the pressure to buy disposable refills. Liam McCabe/NYT Wirecutter But the Swiffer WetJet and the newer, similar PowerMop have tens of thousands of positive user ratings across major retailers, as well as a massive brick-and-mortar presence at big-box stores and supermarkets. Loads of people are very happy to own them. If you have a Swiffer spray mop and think it's pretty good, but you want to cut back on the waste and expense of those refills, it's actually pretty easy. Washable microfiber pads are inexpensive and very common for Swiffer's spray mops. I bought this two-pack back in 2020 because it had the most user ratings at the time—and it still does, with more than 44,000 at the time of writing. These pads are all I've really needed, and they've held up just fine over time, as far as I can tell. I wash them with my other microfiber hand rags, basically following the best practices for tossing microfiber cloths into the laundry. Some of my Wirecutter colleagues own different microfiber pads for their WetJets, and their reactions are about the same as mine: They're totally adequate. The user ratings are pretty consistent from listing to listing, and none of them are particularly expensive. Shop as you see fit. The Swiffer bottle's plastic security tabs become soft in hot water, so it's easy to unscrew the lid. Refill it with whichever cleaning solution you'd like. Liam McCabe/NYT Wirecutter As for the cleaning solution, WetJet bottles have plastic security tabs to stop you from unscrewing the top and refilling the bottle. Here's the secret to cracking it: Dip the tip of the bottle—with the cap still attached—into a bowl of gently boiling water for about 15 seconds. This will soften the plastic tabs, and the cap will be hot! So wrap a cloth around your hand before you grab it. Then the top should twist right off. Don't forget to dump the used water. (Some how-to videos suggest using a screwdriver to get under the cap and bend the tabs, but I think the hot-water method is easier.) If you're feeling ambitious, you can then use a nail clipper (or a similar tool) to cut off the plastic tabs inside the cap. This way, you won't need to re-soften the plastic for future refills. These are Swiffer WetJet bottle caps. On the left, I clipped the security tabs so unscrewing the cap for refills will always be easy. That step might not even be necessary. On the right, you can see that the tabs were bent out of shape after getting unscrewed the first time. I've been able to open and close that bottle, no problem, even without doing the hot-water trick again. Liam McCabe/NYT Wirecutter It's a similar story with the newer Swiffer PowerMop. The pad is a different size, but there's no shortage of reusable third-party microfiber cloths made to fit the PowerMop's head. Same for the juice bottle: The PowerMop's is a different shape than the WetJet's, but it also has plastic security tabs that go soft in hot water. Swiffer sells its cleaning solutions only in disposable bottles, so you'll have to choose something else. Other companies sell mixtures intended to be used in spray mops, or you can mix up your own. I've never had trouble getting the Swiffer's spray mechanism to squirt other companies' cleaning solutions. I have two bottles in rotation: one for vinyl, laminate, and tile; another filled with a wood-floor cleaner. Why go through all of this when you could just get a 'regular' mop and bucket (which Wirecutter's cleaning experts also recommend)? Here are some reasons: Convenience: The spray mop just makes it so, so quick and easy to wipe up mud, paw prints, oily splatter, salty snow water, or whatever else ends up on the floor of my kitchen, bathroom, and entryway. It's ready for action all the time. This was the most common point of praise among my spray-mopping colleagues at Wirecutter. The spray mop just makes it so, so quick and easy to wipe up mud, paw prints, oily splatter, salty snow water, or whatever else ends up on the floor of my kitchen, bathroom, and entryway. It's ready for action all the time. This was the most common point of praise among my spray-mopping colleagues at Wirecutter. Storage: When I bought my Swiffer, I lived in a condo with nowhere convenient to store a bucket for a traditional string-mop setup. If I'd kept it in the basement or the back of a closet, I never would've used it. Some of my apartment-dwelling colleagues agreed. (Something like the Libman Wonder Mop could have worked. But a spray mop is still easier to use because there's no wringing involved, and the cleaning solution rides along in the handle, ready to spray.) Even now, I live in a house, and I still don't have a great spot to keep a bucket. When I bought my Swiffer, I lived in a condo with nowhere convenient to store a bucket for a traditional string-mop setup. If I'd kept it in the basement or the back of a closet, I never would've used it. Some of my apartment-dwelling colleagues agreed. (Something like the Libman Wonder Mop could have worked. But a spray mop is still easier to use because there's no wringing involved, and the cleaning solution rides along in the handle, ready to spray.) Even now, I live in a house, and I still don't have a great spot to keep a bucket. Comfort and accessibility: One of my coworkers noted that a spray mop is much easier on her back than dealing with a bucket full of water and a wringer. Another pointed out that on some mops, the battery-powered push-button spray mechanism needs only a very light touch to operate. One of my coworkers noted that a spray mop is much easier on her back than dealing with a bucket full of water and a wringer. Another pointed out that on some mops, the battery-powered push-button spray mechanism needs only a very light touch to operate. Works fine: When I tested robot mops for Wirecutter, I found that pad-style cleaners worked fine on flat ground, even for a whole-house wipedown. And in our guide to mops, we recommend the Libman Rinse 'N Wring, a pad-style mop—without the spray mechanism, but with a carry-along bucket for cleaning solution. The EPA has actually encouraged hospitals to wash their floors with swappable microfiber pads, after a study found that string mops reduced bacteria counts only by 30%, while microfiber was 99% effective. Household string or flap mops now tend to have washable microfiber heads, which should even the playing field. But if a pad is good enough for a post-op recovery room, it's good enough for my house. When I tested robot mops for Wirecutter, I found that pad-style cleaners worked fine on flat ground, even for a whole-house wipedown. And in our guide to mops, we recommend the Libman Rinse 'N Wring, a pad-style mop—without the spray mechanism, but with a carry-along bucket for cleaning solution. The EPA has actually encouraged hospitals to wash their floors with swappable microfiber pads, after a study found that string mops reduced bacteria counts only by 30%, while microfiber was 99% effective. Household string or flap mops now tend to have washable microfiber heads, which should even the playing field. But if a pad is good enough for a post-op recovery room, it's good enough for my house. Spills: Traditional mops can soak up a few glasses' worth of spilled liquid. But so can the pile of rags that I keep in a kitchen drawer. I'm not the only Wirecutter staffer who deals with spills that way. Traditional mops can soak up a few glasses' worth of spilled liquid. But so can the pile of rags that I keep in a kitchen drawer. I'm not the only Wirecutter staffer who deals with spills that way. Sticky stuff or bumpy surfaces: The soft microfiber pads work better on tougher jobs than you might think, especially because you can press down into the head pretty forcefully—more than with a regular mop, I believe. If my spray mop can't get the job done on its own, I just plop down on my hands and knees and get after it with a brush and stronger cleaning solutions. This happens only a few times per year, for me personally. But you could also keep a string mop around for this kind of cleanup, as some of my colleagues do. The soft microfiber pads work better on tougher jobs than you might think, especially because you can press down into the head pretty forcefully—more than with a regular mop, I believe. If my spray mop can't get the job done on its own, I just plop down on my hands and knees and get after it with a brush and stronger cleaning solutions. This happens only a few times per year, for me personally. But you could also keep a string mop around for this kind of cleanup, as some of my colleagues do. The option for disposables: If I need to clean up something truly foul, where I'd probably want to use disposable pads, it's nice to know that I can find some for a Swiffer at just about any supermarket. I've never had to do this, and if I didn't have a Swiffer I'm sure I'd manage just fine. But one of my colleagues just dealt with a mold situation in her apartment, and she was thankful for this option. If you're happy with your string mop, or whatever you use to wet-wash your floors, that's wonderful—don't change it. But if it's making you miserable, don't count out a spray mop. And remember, it doesn't have to be a Swiffer—especially if the fear of recurring costs and waste has been holding you back. This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Katie Okamoto. We considered hundreds of mops and tested ten, and the O-Cedar Microfiber Cloth Mop (along with the O-Cedar Quick Wring Bucket ) was the best at cleaning spill we tested it against. We think these are the best sweeping tools: the Casabella Wayclean Wide Angle Broom , Libman 2125 Step-On Dust Pan , OXO Good Grips Large Sweep Set , and Bona Microfiber Dust Mop . We tested six cleaners that can vacuum and mop at the same time. The Bissell CrossWave plug-in is the best you can get. The current robot vacuum-mop combos are too fickle, flawed, or expensive to recommend. But we expect they'll get better.
